Lahiru Thirimane, Sri Lanka newly appointed Captain for the upcoming Pakistan ODI series, Tuesday suffered an injury during the practice session but remains hopeful to recover in time, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan are scheduled to play three ODI matches at Karachi National Stadium on September 27, 29 and October 2.
“He hurt his back during practice, but is hopeful to recover in time as it emerged a minor one” a team insider told Cricket Age.
The decision to appoint Thirimane as ODI captain for the tour was taken on September 9, after the refusal of 10 players – regular captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, T20 captain Lasith Malinga, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal – citing security concerns.
Thirimane, with 125 ODIs behind him, has been considered as a solid player for the format. He was part of Sri Lanka World Cup campaign and had played some useful knocks down the order.
An elegant left-hand top order batsman, Thirimane has long been groomed as future Sri Lanka captain, but his inconsistency in other two formats, particularly in test cricket, barred him to achieve the highest pride! However, in ODI cricket, he remains a rock solid batsman, even in the top order.
